Duplicate-whist apparatus.



No. 800,966. PATBNTED OCT. 3, 1905. I G WOODWARD. DUPLICATE WHIST APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1903.

IAIIVENTOR. fr ing a/yaad w i W1 TNESSES ATE/$ Y Mffyk.

(Min. 8.

PATENT- OFFICE.

IRVING C. WOODWARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DUPLICATE-WHIST APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed May 28, 1903. Serial No. 159,075.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING C. WOODWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplicate-VVhist Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for facilitating the playing of games of cards, and has particular reference to devices of separating, identifying, and collectively preserving the cards composing each deal in the game of duplicate whist.

The general object of the invention is to improve upon the more or less cumbersome and elaborate devices known as whist-trays and their substitutes in the forms of folding cases, sets of holders, boxes, and the like, comprising a multiplicity of parts easily broken or impaired, by providing a simple, compact, accessible, neat, and convenient holder consisting of but a single member and occupying substantially the space of a deck of cards, which shall not become dilapidated in appearance from ordinary usage, but always present a bright and new appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a card-holding device into which each hand of a deck of cards may be easily introduced, firmly held therein, and easily removed therefrom without causing slightest injury to the cards and which shall be selfadjustable to various thicknesses of cards.

Another object is to facilitate speed in assembling original hands for duplicate plays by providing an open card-holder from which the cards may be removed by means of a natural finger-grip at the ends of the cards instead of a limited pinch-hold upon a small part of the surface, producing objectionable finger-marks, and into which each hand may be just as easily inserted. The devices heretofore provided for this purpose have usually been comparatively large, covering considerable table-space, or where more compact have necessitated holding means, such as rubber bands, springs, tape, and the like, easily broken and disarranged and more or less inconvenient.

My invention consists generally in a single sheet of elastic material folded upon itself to form a plurality of accessible receptacles with exposed means for identifying each receptacle; and my invention further consists in the various details of construction, as heretop face of a holder embodying my invention' with cards therein. Fig. 2 is an end View of the holder and cards. Fig. 3 illustrates a modification in the lines of curvature of the holder, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the holder as it appears with the cards removed.

In the drawings, 2 represents the body of the holder, comprising an upper face 3 and a similar bottom face. (Not shown.) At the four edges of the upper face 3 are placed numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4, as shown, or their equivalents, designating the different positions of four players at the table. Near one of these numerals the word Lead appears, indicating the hand that is to lead on replay. The holder is formed by bending and rebending a sheet or strip of spring metal, preferably aluminium, into four compartments 4, 5, 6, and 7, inclosed by sides 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The outer face of the side 8 is represented by the face 3. The lower or outer face of the side 12 instead of bearing the characters shown in Fig. 1 may be provided in the usual manner with a single number or letter designating the individual holder, of which as many are provided as there are series of games to be played, as is well known.

The holder is of substantially the same length as the cards, but slightly narrower, so as to permit one of the longitudinal edges of each hand to project slightly beyond the edges of the sides, asshown, thereby affording opportunity to conveniently grasp the cards when withdrawing them from the holder, either by gripping both ends thereof, as in shufliing, or by taking hold of any portion of the exposed edge of the pack composing the hand. As will be noted by reference to Fig. 4, the opposite walls of each compartment are sprung toward each other, and when they are forced apart by the insertion of the cards the latter are held or clamped between the sides with a light and yet substantial hold. The projecting edges of the hands are arranged in alternate order, the first occupying the top compartment 4:, the second the compartment 5, and so on. The bent or curved portions of the metal sheet afford outwardly-bent Wall edges 13 and 14, which permits of the walls being sprung apart with the subpack or hand, obviating the necessity of springing said Walls apart With the fingers. The outer compartments 4 and 7 have preferably only one Wall so bent, that being sufficient; but it is obvious that the outer edges of the portions 8 and 12 may be bent slightly outward, if desired. The alternate compartments are thus angularly movable with relation to each other to permit springing apart of the walls of intermediate compartments and facilitate the easy removal of the cards therein. The walls of each compartment are likewise movable angularly for the same purpose. The outer faces of said portions or leaves also afford opportunity for artistic embossing or ornamentation and the device is easily kept bright and attractive in appearance.

The characters or numbers upon the holder are preferably engraved therein to insure their permanency. Where a large number of series of games are to be played, requiring a corresponding number of holders, the compactness of my device is a valuable feature in that it facilitates storing and handling during the progress of a series of games. Moreover, it may be manufactured at a comparatively small cost and its life is practically permanent, there being no separately-fastened parts liable to break off or become loose.

As suggested by Fig. 3, many modifications may be made in my holder Without departing from the spiritof my invention, which I therefore do not confine to the specific details of construction herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent A duplicate-whist apparatus consisting of an integral card-case of resilient material comprising four identical normally closed compartments opening alternately toward opposite sides, said compartments being individually expansible to receive a hand of cards and each thereof being closed at one edge only.

lntestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IRVING G. VVOODWARD.

Witnesses:

E. BERMAN, J. W. BECKSTROM. 

